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81 Comments


scott says:

I knew this movie was going to be great.

Cameth says:

It is a fantastic film. Clint’s pretty funny in it as well.

Ken J says:

I know he was openly racist in the movie, but I thought he was such a loveable racist. Because while he would say all of these really unacceptable things, his actions are pure and seem motivated by good… then he’ll follow those actions up with a racist slur…

I’m actually Asian, but I wasn’t at all insulted at his derogatory asian remarks. I actually understand where he’s coming from. His entire neighborhood has been taken over by foreigners and he has a very strong patriotism and love of country that he can’t overlook. I can empathize with that.

Even though it is officially a January release, my theater was one of the limited theaters they released this on in December, so I saw it in 2008, that’s why I consider it one of the best movies I’ve seen in 2008. Clint Eastwood is the man.

“I’ll blow a hole in your face, and then I will go back in my house, and I’ll sleep like a baby.”

LOL, classic…

Jess H. says:

“Eventually he leans that Thao was the boy who broke into his garage”

I think leans is suppose to be learn. correct me if im wrong. Im looking forward to this movie. Clint Eastwood is one of the best actors of his time so im looking forward to this movie.

Stark says:

Walt should be in the White House! (Hmmm…. maybe that could be a Pun.)

Oh, well.

-Back to my new Repulsors! -Stark

Charles Darwin says:

All of Clint’s movies, barr none, are about everyday people with problems of their own, that have the courage to rise up and do what’s proper, despite the consequences. They always show a hero that’s never BAD, but never totally good, just like regular people. That’s what I love about his movies, and many do not even have what you’d call a Hollywood happy ending. Clint rules.

Evie says:

When is Clint NOT awesome?? :D Looking forward to seeing it

@Jess H

Gah! Thanks for finding that typo. That’s what I get for writing a review at 11:30 at night after a full day.

Vic

Ogb says:

5/5 ? This movie was great but the review COMPLETELY ignored the HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE acting by the supporting cast. Eastwood is great is ever, but it’s literally a PAIN to watch the younger “actors” (especially the girl) try to “act”. These kids couldn’t act their way out of a paper bag. I’m not an “acting” snob, I love watching Stalone, Van Damme, Arnold, etc. But this is one of the few movies that made me cringe.

Great movie, horrible acting by the supporting cast, does NOT deserve a 5/5.

That is my opinion, but watch it for sure and make up your own mind.

I also loved the film. In many ways Vic this will be for Clint fans what The Shootist was for John Wayne fans. I loved that film also as its one of my all time favorite movies. I would give Gran Torino a 4.5 out of 5. As far as the bad acting criticism by some. I will agree that some of the acting in the beginning was shaky, but it got much better as the film went on. I totally bought all the characters. This is a way over blown issue by some. This is a TREAT for Clint fans who grew up on his work. One of 2008 best films and I hope Eastwood gets an Oscar nomination for best actor.

chuck

@Ogb

Really? I thought the supporting cast did a decent job. I do appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

Vic

Tim says:

Well, I’m convinced to go now! I had thought about skipping this but I can’t do it now.

SK47 says:

Granted there is nothing cutting edge here, but that is not what makes a great movie! Pure class! This is classic filmmaking at it’s best, substance over style and this is, imo, the best movie of 08!
I found this movie to be what Clint was talking about in the article, about the way this generation is. The picture is more like a teaching on how to be Man and how to deal with this world using Clint’s views. As for the acting, this is probably their first time in front of a camera, add acting with Eastwood! EASTWOOD, think about it! Your first role and with the legend!

Plus, this movie has the best joke ever! ‘A Mexican, Jew and Coloured Man walk into a bar….’ when you hear it, its great! No, it’s priceless! I’m coloured and I still think that’s the greatest joke ever!

Ogb says:

SK47

I agree with what you said as far as being on the set acting with Eastwood.

To me, it was really noticeable how the supporting cast was trying to keep up with Eastwood’s acting and Eastwood was holding the movie together with his amazing acting.

Like I said, this is my opinion and for some reason I just couldn’t buy completely into the movie, which is unusual for me, because of the acting.

sito says:

You had me worried at the beginning of your review. I am really looking forward to seeing this one, and I thought you were going to say it’s an all-out stinker. Judging from your review and commentary, it sounds just like what I thought it would be. Thanks!

@SK47

“substance over style”

Damn, why didn’t I think to use that in my review? :-)

Vic

@sito

That was based on the reaction to a couple of other reviews I’ve written that turned out to be controversial (although I certainly didn’t think they were).

Vic

Rob Keyes says:

Sweet – I’m watching it tonight Vic, you set my expectations high so I best not be disappointed ;)

Daniel F says:

This movie was great. I got a hold of a DVD Screener about two months ago and was blown away. I am not a fan of Clint never have been, but I loved this movie. I wouldn’t give it a 5, but It would of easily been very close to that.

I thought the supporting class did very well and I am an acting snop I hate Van Damn, Stallone and Arnold. I am a huge acting snob if it’s bad I hate. I thought they did well. Now if your trying to compare them to a veteran like Eastwood than of course most people are gonna come off looking less than steller. What do you expect?

greenknight333 says:

Vic 5 out of 5

Are you saying that for this type of film that it is a perfect movie? If you are saying that then I can’t friggin’ wait to see this film!!!

I love Unforgiven, Outlaw Josie Wales, Pale Rider, I could go on and on..

Really though 5 out of 5?

Ken J says:

I think he’s saying he started with 5 out of 5 and started deducting points for things he did not enjoy. This does not mean there are no problems, just none big enough to hinder the enjoyment, so no deductions.

@greenknight

What Ken said. :-)

*I* couldn’t find anything wrong with it and I enjoyed it without reservation, hence the score. Don’t know if it’ll be the same for you.

Vic

Ogb says:

Lol, I can’t believe I’m the only one that was so put off by the acting in this movie.

Oh well. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.

But as someone mentioned, no matter how you look at it, this is not a perfect movie.

5/5 is a score based on the Critic’s (Vic’s) personal opinions.

@Ogb

LOL, as I said, it’s MY review and what I thought of it. :-)

Actually I’m pretty sensitive to bad acting and I didn’t get that at all from the film.

Vic

Ogb says:

I have no problem with that, I like these kinds of discussions, that’s why I come here.

I can’t stand self-important critics that act as if their OPINION is fact as much as I can’t stand people that will let a critic’s opinion keep them away from seeing a movie.

Anyway, didn’t mean to rant. I hear you on the 5/5 for a movie you loved.

I gave Mortal Kombat 5/5 (and still do) but most people hate it.

greenknight333 says:

Thanks for the clarification Ken and Vic..I look forward very much to seeing this film.. :)

Cheers to you both !!

greenknight333 says:

Geez I sounded like Yoda a little there..

JD5DAD says:

I loved this movie it was like Archie Bunker on the big screen it was a heart touching movie the dialog was funny as hell the only thing I didn’t like was Thao kinda acted wooden when he started talking I thought I was watching star wars 1-2 or 3 haha other than that 4 stars

Ken J says:

Ogb, the first Mortal Kombat is awesome, lol. It was cheesy and corny, but I used to play the games all the time so it was a very cool video game movie. Most other video game movies suck. All of the sequels SUCKED though…

Griffjc says:

Okay I loved the movie. Clint, great job!

However, I agree that the supporting cast didn’t hold their weight against Eastwood. The girl played by Ahney Her in my opinion was more bearable than the boy played by Bee Vang. There were moments where the acting was just too overdone. They seemed to be trying too hard. One moment that strikes me is when the boy is beating on the gate after Walt locks him up. I just can’t believe such a large reaction. As ogb said…there were definitely parts where I cringed a bit. There were also moments that really struck me. Those moments alone make me understand the 5/5 and I definitely say everyone who is a die hard Eastwood fan must go see Gran Torino.

Griffjc says:

Oh and just to clear things up I’m not bashing on the supporting cast but just as a comparison…go on imdb.com and you’ll find that this is both Vang, and her’s first screen performances. They have a long career to hone their acting but they’ve only just begun. Just when they’re put up against Mr. Eastwood, to my eyes, there was a noticeable difference in screen experience and this led to the cringing.

ogb says:

Ken J

Right on man, MK is still, I think, the best video game movie. Plus the music is ridiculously good.

Griffjc

I felt the same, only for some reason it bothered me more than it usually would have. The girl, I thought, mumbled and slurred her lines enough for me to notice.

But Eastwood makes up for it. His “reaching into my jacket for a gun” was badass. His interactions with the gangs was awesome too.

It’s just the boy and the girl that bummed me out.

Ann says:

The Best Movie I have seen in a while. He is the man.

Nate says:

This movie was fantastic. Although the supporting cast was a bit choppy, I felt they didn’t take away from the brilliance of the movie. Clint Eastwood certainly outweighed any of the actors flaws with various one liners; all of which were badass.
Whoever is planning on seeing this movie is in for a treat.

Nikko says:

I agree 100% with the review, I also think the young asian actors were fine. I know a few kids just like them that are quiet and shy, unsure of themselves and acting a little stand offish around somebody like Walt. this movie will get many awards and maybe some flak for the racial comments, but that needs to be there to make it and the characters real.

emmy says:

I just got back from sitting Gran Torino and I thought it was fantastic!

It’s refreshing to see a movie that isn’t full of the far left’s propaganda.

Dave says:

This was by far one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. Just got back from watching it tonight and I want to go back and watch it again!

Maybe our culture wouldn’t be going to ..poop.. if we had more people like Walt around.

Harden up.

ogb says:

This is why I love Eastwood (quote from a recent interview):

“We live in more of a p*ssy generation now, where everybody’s become used to saying, “Well, how do we handle it psychologically?” In those days, you just punched the bully back and duked it out. Even if the guy was older and could push you around, at least you were respected for fighting back, and you’d be left alone from then on.”

“I don’t know if I can tell you exactly when the p*ssy generation started. Maybe when people started asking about the meaning of life.”
- Clint Eastwood

emmy says:

Hippie movement.. they had children and then more of them popped out.. then liberals emerged.. Enjoy the next four years!

I am ashamed to be labeled as the “p*ssy generation” like many posters had mention because I am in that 20 group generation which is full of boneless panties–and it scares me. No one has a backbone anymore. We have to worry about people’s “feelings” and not come off as “racist”.. It is ridiculous! No wonder our country is falling apart. We need more people like Walt.

ogb says:

Vic

Thanks.

Emmy

I’m with you. I’m 23 and from Russia. In Russia, no one talked about their feelings, depression, etc. Came here and people are so free with their emotions and feelings that sometimes it’s just too much. BTW, I’m not being Anti American, just saying that Eastwood NAILED it with that quote.

emmy says:

ogb, don’t be sorry! It is true and it is tearing our country apart. I thought it was an AWESOME quote like many throughout the film.

Ken J says:

Yah ogb, I love it when people tell me that I have to feel compassion for criminals because they might have had a bad childhood… Come on, how many people have bad childhoods that DON’T turn to a life of victimizing innocent people? There’s no excuse. That’s why when I hear on the news about a would-be robber being shot dead by the victim, it puts a smile on my face. Chaulk one for the good guy. Of course the news rarely wants to report on that, even though lives being saved through self defense happens every day, they only want to report when an innocent person dies. Don’t understand why that is… Stupid biased p*ssy generation news…

ogb says:

Lol right on guys, I don’t want to sway this discussion away from the movie, but you guys are right, I don’t watch network news because of this. Can’t stand politics etc. Life is simple. Politics, religion, etc. just complicate things. I’d rather focus on stuff that really matters.

Anyway, I’m glad this movie came out and I hope Eastwood doesn’t REALLY retired from acting (or directing) because his movies always strike a chord (if that’s the right expression) about important issues.

Ken J says:

Well, I HATED Mystic River and Letters from Iwo Jima is a VERY inaccurate portrayal of the Japanese in WWII. I know people will say it was based off of letters from actual soldiers. But what do you expect soldiers to say in letters back to their loved ones? “Oh, we beheaded an entire unarmed farming family in the last village we pillaged, and guess what, I’m sending home two of the little Chinese girls we captured you can pimp out for extra cash. Can’t wait to be home, but have another village of unarmed civilians to butcher, those babies are not going to impale themselves on bayonets themselves!”

But I like most of the other movies he’s been involved in so far.

ogb says:

I hear ya, but I never look at realism of movies, it ruins them, for me it’s always fine if it’s in the relam of possibilities.

I LOVED Mystic River and thought Iwo Jima was okay, nothing special.

I do think he’s just as talented as a director as he is an actor

Steve W says:

I liked the movie a lot. I’m a big fan of Eastwood the actor but think he’s a bit overrated as a director. My main complaint about his recent work would be the cardboard cutout nature of his third tier characters. The barber, the priest and his eldest son don’t ever feel real in this movie. The barber sits alone in his shop, and seems to be just waiting for his scenes. He seems to have no other customers and you wonder how he stays in business. When Walt goes to the church the priest is walking around the church reading his bible. It is really noticable that no thought goes in to making these characters seem real. They are like bad AI characters in a role playing game just waiting for you to activate them. I found it really distracting. How hard would it be to have the barber and priest finishing up with other customers when Walt arrives?

I HATED Million Dollar Baby, not because of the controversial ending, but because of the over-the-top cartooniness of Hillary Swank’s family, and the predictable sub-plot of the kid in the gym.

All that being said, Grand Turino is a really good movie. Fans of Eastwood should not be disappointed.

Krista K says:

I love this movie. I went with someone who is the same age as Clint Eastwood (I am 33) and it is amazing how we walked away with a completely different view of the film but both liked it. I think there were very poignant scenes and this is definitely a film where you will both laugh and cry. Definitely a coming of age story for Tao and a reflection on life for Wally. I can’t stop thinking about this film. I hope it brings Eastwood a younger audience and fan base because he is surely one of the greatest!

Maria says:

Loved it! Clint was fabulous! I agree, maybe the supporting actors weren’t that great, but Clint for sure made up for that! He’s such a great actor. It was funny, exciting, and nervous. I can’t wait til it comes out on dvd. I want to own a copy! Clint definitely deserves an award for his role. And this movie deserves the 5 stars!

Ty says:

I absolutely loved this movie. Simply put – classic Eastwood.

I disagree with people saying the supporting actors were bad. @ogb – I don’t see how the supporting actors could have made you cringe when you love VanDamme movies. I’m not trying to be disrespectful to you, I enjoy VanDamme movies as well. But I actually think his acting is crap in a lot of his movies, and it could be argued that it’s actually worse than this supporting cast. I had a much easier time believing in these supporting characters than the majority of VanDamme’s characters.

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